Grantmaking

The foundation awards most grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support Greater Cleveland projects and programs that benefit citizens, meet community needs, and test new ideas. The foundation does not make grants to individuals, for-profit organizations, endowment campaigns, or annual fundraising or membership drives. Types of support include:

• Program development
• Research
• Seed money
• Consulting services
• Matching/challenge support
• Program-related investments/loans
• Scholarship funds
• Technical assistance
• Capital campaigns 

Stewardship

Year Ended 2011:

• Total assets: $1.8 billion
• Total return on endowment investments: -1.6%
• Grants authorized: 3,131 grants
• Value of grants authorized: $80 million
• New gifts received: $41 million
• Operating expenses: $11 million
• Number of employees: 68
• IRS E.I. number: 34-0714588

Endowment

Total assets:

• 2011: $1.8 billion
• 2010: $1.9 billion
• 2009: $1.8 billion
• 2008: $1.6 billion
• 2007: $2.1 billion
• 2006: $1.8 billion
• 2005: $1.7 billion
• 2004: $1.6 billion
• 2003: $1.5 billion
• 2002: $1.3 billion
• 2001: $1.4 billion

Philanthropy

The Cleveland Foundation would not exist today were it not for the extraordinary generosity and vision of our donors. The foundation offers numerous creative and rewarding ways to donate to the community, some with significant tax advantages. We encourage prospective donors to contact either the foundation directly or a professional advisor to learn more about philanthropic opportunities.

Leadership

The true measure of the foundation’s worth is not the size of our endowment, how much we receive in gifts, or the dollar value of our grants. Rather, the measure of our worth is the leadership role we play and the impact we have in the communities we serve, as a grantmaker, convener, and facilitator.

Diversity

The Cleveland Foundation is committed to diversity and inclusion in everything that we do. From our grantmaking to our donors to our staff, we strive to hear all voices and be fair and representative in all areas of our operations. Our Statement on Diversity reflects our commitment to keeping diversity at the forefront.

Officers

• Ronald B. Richard 
  President and CEO
• Robert E. Eckardt
  Executive Vice President
• Kate A. Asbeck
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Kaye Ridolfi
  Senior Vice President for Advancement
• Leslie A. Dunford 
  Vice President for Corporate Governance and Administration

Board of Directors

• James A Ratner, Chairman 
  Executive Vice President, Forest City Enterprises
• Frank C. Sullivan, Vice Chairman 
  Chairman and CEO, RPM International
• Charles P. Bolton
  Chairman, Brittany Stamping
• Inajo Davis Chappell
  Partner, Ulmer & Berne
• Paul J. Dolan 
  Chairman and CEO, Cleveland Indians
• Hiroyuki Fujita 
  President and CEO, Quality Electrodynamics and eQED
• Sally Gries 
  Founder and chairperson, Gries Financial
• Frederick R. Nance 
  Regional managing partner, Squire Sanders
• Michael Petras Jr. 
  CEO, AssuraMed
• Sandra Pianalto 
  President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
• Larry Pollock
  Managing partner, Lucky Stars Partners
• Beth Oldenburg Rankin 
  Civic volunteer
• Rev. Dr. Stephen Rowan
  Senior pastor, Bethany Baptist Church
• Ratanjit S. Sondhe 
  Founder and CEO, discoverhelp.com
• Ernest L. Wilkerson Jr.
  Managing partner and founder, Wilkerson & Associates

Bank Trustees

• FirstMerit Bank, N.A.
• The Huntington National Bank
• JPMorgan Chase Bank
• KeyBank
• National City Bank

Contact

The Cleveland Foundation 
1422 Euclid Avenue 
Suite 1300 
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

216.861.3810
Hello@CleveFdn.org

Office Hours
Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.